Choosing an HVAC contractor

What to look for and expect

By Madeline Keimig

A knowledgeable and trustworthy contractor is a must when choosing a new heating and cooling system because he or she will install and maintain your unit for many years. Here, a geothermal heat pump’s loop system is installed.

It’s no secret that replacing your heating and cooling system can be a headache. When’s the right time? What kind of system is best? Where can I find a reliable contractor?

Because the right contractor is critical for determining the type and size of the unit needed, explaining your options, and proper installation — consider these tips before making a selection.

Ask around

What are the contractor’s licensing and qualifications? Is the contractor a member of state and national contractor associations, such as Air Conditioning Contractors of America? Is he or she adequately insured?

“Most people don’t realize that almost 50 percent of their energy bill comes from an HVAC [heating, ventilation, and air conditioning] system,” explains Alan Shedd, director of residential and commercial energy programs for Touchstone Energy Cooperatives. “It’s important to have the right person put in and maintain the equipment.”

Ask neighbors and friends if they can recommend a good contractor—or if there’s someone you should avoid. Check on what a prospective contractor guarantees and whether any follow-up services, such as a maintenance agreement, are offered.

“It’s important to have these conversations before work begins,” Shedd stresses. “That way, if there are any surprises after installation, you know what to expect.”

What the contractor and you should do

After you ask these questions, a good contractor should inspect your home and old system and then explain your options.

Be sure to get the estimated annual operating cost of the proposed HVAC system at different efficiency levels, as recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star program.

Local licensing requirements

Anyone who contracts to install, alter or restore plumbing, heating (includes air conditioning) or fire sprinkler systems that require a permit must have a license from the State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors.

* You can search for licenses on the board's website.(Tip: You get better results with using less criteria info in their search field, ironically. Try part of a name instead of the full name if a business doesn't come up the first time.)

The board, located in Raleigh, suggests calling your local Better Business Bureau, your city or county building inspection department, the Department of Justice's Consumer Protection Section at (919) 733-7741 and the appropriate licensing board to see if there have been serious complaints against any of your prospects. nclicensing.org or (919) 875-3612.

*Minor repairs and service work to plumbing and heating systems do not require a state license.

Air conditioners are measured by Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) and Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER). SEER is calculated by dividing the amount of cooling provided during a normal year by energy used—the higher the SEER, the more efficient the unit. EER helps if you want to know how a system operates at a specific temperature. This will help you to determine the total cost over its lifetime.

Shedd advises asking for three written estimates of the work: what is being done, what equipment is being provided, and when installation will begin and be completed.

“A contractor should explain what is included — the best value may not come from whoever offers the lowest price,” Shedd warns.

NATE certification

Finally, consider looking for someone who is NATE (North American Technician Excellence) certified. Remember, though, because NATE is a voluntary process, a contractor isn’t necessarily a bad installer if she or he doesn’t have the credentials, contends Brian Sloboda, a senior program manager specializing in energy efficiency for the Cooperative Research Network, an arm of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

“NATE-certified contractors will have gone through the steps to prove they have the skills necessary for their job, although it isn’t a guarantee that they are good,” he cautions. “But it does provide some extra evidence to help consumers know that the person they’re hiring has been tested.”